Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in North Carolina
Research Associate, Life Sciences jobs in North Carolina are concentrated in the Research Triangle Park area, Greater Charlotte, and Greensboro, where biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, and contract research organizations drive consistent demand at the entry to mid-career level. Employers such as Biogen, Pfizer, and Labcorp maintain a substantial and lasting presence across the state, recruiting for roles in cell biology, analytical chemistry, and assay development. North Carolina ranks among the most active life sciences hiring markets in the Southeast, with openings from bench-level research to translational science. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Research Associate, Life Sciences jobs
We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
The Lead Director, New Business Development, is a strategic leadership role responsible for advancing enterprise growth through innovative partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. As a key member of the Life Sciences Innovation team, this leader supports the Executive Director, New Business Development, Life Sciences Innovation by evaluating partnership opportunities from external companies, internal leadership priorities, and enterprise strategy teams. The role also helps define the vision and strategy for pharma-facing initiatives, develop business cases, and advance new programs from concept through execution.
The Lead Director, Life Sciences Innovation is expected to be entrepreneurial, analytical, and skilled at translating insights from diverse data sources into innovative business opportunities. This leader will manage a high-performing team of two Senior Managers while building strong cross-functional relationships across the enterprise. To support enterprise growth goals, the team will monitor healthcare trends, identify where CVS Health is best positioned to win, develop business cases for priority ideas, and incubate and launch high-impact initiatives.
Success in this role requires strategic thinking, deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturer challenges, strong business and financial acumen, and the ability to identify innovative models that address evolving market needs. The Lead Director must possess strong executive presence, credibility with internal and external partners, and the ability to build alignment across enterprise teams with competing priorities while maintaining momentum through ambiguity and risk. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in life sciences, healthcare, or another regulated industry, with a proven record of leading high-impact, cross-enterprise initiatives and driving measurable growth through strategic partnerships.
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in in Strategy and/or Corporate Development within healthcare, with focus on expertise and experience working in the PBM or pharmaceutical segments.
- 10+ years of overall professional experience
- Demonstrated experience developing analyses, presentations, and support material to successfully recommend strategy or change initiatives and ability to generate new ideas and new potential deals
- Demonstrated experience in bringing new, ‘non-traditional’ ideas to leadership and successfully obtaining buy-in (e.g., investment)
- Strong executive presence with the ability to effectively influence, communicate, and present to senior leaders both internally and with external business partners.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships across all levels within an organization and with relevant external constituents
- Demonstrated analytical, communication, and entrepreneurial skillsets; must operate comfortably in ambiguous environments
- Demonstrated understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturer business challenges, with the ability to proactively identify and deliver innovative, value‑driven solutions.
- Direct leadership of people or matrix leadership of stakeholder partners
- Ability to manage risk, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining focus and execution momentum.
- Mature problem solving, analytical, oral and written communication, and presentation skills; advanced MS Office skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in generating new ideas, backed by business cases, and shepherding them to in-market launch, especially within large organizations
- Strong understanding of the life sciences ecosystem, including regulatory and compliance, as well as patient access, pricing, reimbursement, commercialization dynamics, and relevant clinical, scientific, or technical workflows.
- Proven experience collaborating with internal business leaders and cross‑functional teams to design, develop, and contract innovative new business partnership models
- Proven track record of successfully negotiating and executing contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers across access, affordability, education, and related patient support initiatives
- At least 5 years of experience in managed care which may include PBM, Pharma, market access, account management, specialty pharmacy, or health plan experience.
- MBA or management consulting experience
Education
Bachelor's Degree required. Masters Degree preferred.
Travel Expectation:
10-15%
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$100,000.00 - $231,540.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 08/08/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
The Lead Director, New Business Development, is a strategic leadership role responsible for advancing enterprise growth through innovative partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. As a key member of the Life Sciences Innovation team, this leader supports the Executive Director, New Business Development, Life Sciences Innovation by evaluating partnership opportunities from external companies, internal leadership priorities, and enterprise strategy teams. The role also helps define the vision and strategy for pharma-facing initiatives, develop business cases, and advance new programs from concept through execution.
The Lead Director, Life Sciences Innovation is expected to be entrepreneurial, analytical, and skilled at translating insights from diverse data sources into innovative business opportunities. This leader will manage a high-performing team of two Senior Managers while building strong cross-functional relationships across the enterprise. To support enterprise growth goals, the team will monitor healthcare trends, identify where CVS Health is best positioned to win, develop business cases for priority ideas, and incubate and launch high-impact initiatives.
Success in this role requires strategic thinking, deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturer challenges, strong business and financial acumen, and the ability to identify innovative models that address evolving market needs. The Lead Director must possess strong executive presence, credibility with internal and external partners, and the ability to build alignment across enterprise teams with competing priorities while maintaining momentum through ambiguity and risk. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in life sciences, healthcare, or another regulated industry, with a proven record of leading high-impact, cross-enterprise initiatives and driving measurable growth through strategic partnerships.
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in in Strategy and/or Corporate Development within healthcare, with focus on expertise and experience working in the PBM or pharmaceutical segments.
- 10+ years of overall professional experience
- Demonstrated experience developing analyses, presentations, and support material to successfully recommend strategy or change initiatives and ability to generate new ideas and new potential deals
- Demonstrated experience in bringing new, ‘non-traditional’ ideas to leadership and successfully obtaining buy-in (e.g., investment)
- Strong executive presence with the ability to effectively influence, communicate, and present to senior leaders both internally and with external business partners.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships across all levels within an organization and with relevant external constituents
- Demonstrated analytical, communication, and entrepreneurial skillsets; must operate comfortably in ambiguous environments
- Demonstrated understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturer business challenges, with the ability to proactively identify and deliver innovative, value‑driven solutions.
- Direct leadership of people or matrix leadership of stakeholder partners
- Ability to manage risk, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining focus and execution momentum.
- Mature problem solving, analytical, oral and written communication, and presentation skills; advanced MS Office skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in generating new ideas, backed by business cases, and shepherding them to in-market launch, especially within large organizations
- Strong understanding of the life sciences ecosystem, including regulatory and compliance, as well as patient access, pricing, reimbursement, commercialization dynamics, and relevant clinical, scientific, or technical workflows.
- Proven experience collaborating with internal business leaders and cross‑functional teams to design, develop, and contract innovative new business partnership models
- Proven track record of successfully negotiating and executing contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers across access, affordability, education, and related patient support initiatives
- At least 5 years of experience in managed care which may include PBM, Pharma, market access, account management, specialty pharmacy, or health plan experience.
- MBA or management consulting experience
Education
Bachelor's Degree required. Masters Degree preferred.
Travel Expectation:
10-15%
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$100,000.00 - $231,540.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 08/08/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
See All 27 Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in North Carolina
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Find JobsResearch Associate, Life Sciences Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate, Life Sciences Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Investment & Asset Management
- Fintech
- Manufacturing
- Banking & Financial Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research Associate, life sciences jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in biology, biochemistry, or a closely related life sciences field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with techniques such as PCR, cell culture, or ELISA
- Familiarity with GMP, GLP, or FDA regulatory compliance in a research or manufacturing setting
- Proficiency in data analysis using software such as GraphPad Prism, R, or Python
- Strong scientific writing skills for protocols, SOPs, and technical reports
- Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team within a fast-paced research environment
Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate, life sciences in North Carolina?
Most research associate, life sciences roles in North Carolina require a bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field, and many competitive candidates hold a master's degree. North Carolina does not require a state-issued license specific to this role, but employers in regulated industries expect familiarity with GMP or GLP standards. Gaining laboratory experience through university programs, co-ops, or internships at Research Triangle Park institutions strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.
Which companies hire research associate, life sciencess in North Carolina?
North Carolina research associate, life sciences roles are posted by CBRE, Fluor, and JPMorganChase and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The Research Triangle Park corridor anchors much of this hiring, drawing pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and contract research employers who sustain ongoing demand for bench and translational research talent.
Which North Carolina cities have the most research associate, life sciences jobs?
Raleigh, Durham, and North Carolina account for the largest share of research associate, life sciences openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle area, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, leads because of its dense concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies alongside major research universities, while Charlotte's expanding healthcare and diagnostics sector drives openings in the western part of the state.
Are there remote research associate, life sciences jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they are rare. Most research associate, life sciences work is hands-on and requires physical presence in a laboratory or regulated facility. About 50% of research associate, life sciences openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions are almost always in data analysis, bioinformatics, regulatory writing, or scientific project management rather than bench research.
How can I get hired as a research associate, life sciences in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for research assistant or laboratory technician roles at North Carolina universities, contract research organizations in Research Triangle Park, or large employers such as Labcorp and Biogen, which regularly hire candidates without extensive post-graduate experience. Completing a relevant internship or co-op, obtaining a certification in laboratory safety or good laboratory practices, and gaining hands-on coursework in cell culture or analytical techniques are the credentials that most consistently open the door for new graduates in North Carolina.
Where can I find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location preferences.
See All 27 Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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